Porsche 911 GT2 RS Manthey beats Corvette ZR1 Road Atlanta record
21/05/2026
Porsche just reminded everyone that lap times are not won on horsepower alone.
A 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Kit has set a new production car benchmark at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, lapping the circuit in 1:22.649 with Porsche brand ambassador and former factory driver Jörg Bergmeister behind the wheel. That makes it 0.2 seconds quicker than the previous production car record held by the new Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
Manthey does what Manthey does best
The record car was equipped with the Manthey Kit and road-legal Porsche-approved Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R N0 tyres. Porsche says the Manthey upgrades to suspension and aerodynamics helped the car improve by 2.2 seconds versus the standard GT2 RS lap set at the same track in 2019.
More downforce, sharper chassis control, better confidence under braking and more stability through high-speed corners. Road Atlanta rewards exactly that kind of package. It is fast, flowing, technical and full of commitment.
Corvette ZR1 was the target
Earlier, Chevrolet had used the new Corvette ZR1 to set five U.S. production car lap records, including a 1:22.8 at Road Atlanta with GM lead development engineer Chris Barber driving. GM also highlighted the ZTK Performance Package, with high-downforce aero, stiffer suspension tuning and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R ZP tyres.
So the Corvette was not exactly underprepared. It arrived with enormous power, serious aero and factory development backing. But Porsche and Manthey answered in the most Porsche way possible: not with double the power, but with precision. The GT2 RS makes around 700 PS, not more than 1,000 hp. Yet it carried enough speed, grip and confidence to take back the number.
The GT3 RS and GT3 joined the party too
Porsche did not stop with the GT2 RS. The 2025 911 GT3 RS with Manthey Kit also lapped Road Atlanta in 1:23.932, making it the fastest naturally aspirated production car at the circuit. Porsche notes that the GT3 RS benefits from up to 2,200 lbs of downforce, which is around 998 kg.
Then the newer 2026 911 GT3 with Manthey Kit recorded a 1:24.639, making it 1.8 seconds faster than the 2022 911 GT3’s previous lap. So this was not one lucky lap. It was a full Porsche-Manthey demonstration.
GT2 RS for outright production car pace.
GT3 RS for naturally aspirated aero madness.
GT3 for usable track-focused sharpness.
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The message is simple: horsepower wins arguments online, but aero, tyres, chassis balance and driver confidence win lap times. Manthey understands that better than almost anyone.
Would we call the Corvette beaten forever? No. This fight is far too close, and Chevrolet can absolutely respond. But for now, Porsche just made a seven-year-old 911 look very, very dangerous again. And that is beautiful.
